Today we’d like to introduce you to Keon Atwater-Thomas.
Hi Keon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I would say that my journey started with the pursuit of my culinary career. At a very young age, I identified my love for food and started my career as a chef. I spent years training and working in the culinary industry, offering my personal chef services and pop-up events before I discovered my overall purpose. I had been writing since I was a child and continued to do so while honing in on my passion when my mother presented the idea of self-publishing a book. This love for food evolved into combining my passions to create my first book, “A Dose of Fuego,” with dishes inspired by poetry included in “Fuego Dosage” by Jonnise Atwater, MBA.
I believe that this book was my first example of what I was capable of if I took my many talents and found a way to interweave them. This is when I began creating art and products inspired by the photographs of the dishes in the book. Through promotion via my podcast and blog, I realized that my love of art included so many layers. I had created spaces and platforms to share my creativity, which later expanded into spoken word and music. Hence why I consider myself to be the multifaceted chef. I am as layered as an onion, as my mother says!
Today I have produced, curated, and platformed various forms of written, digital, audio, and visual art inspired by my journey as not just a chef or artist but as a human. As a mental health/self-love advocate and overall believer in bettering myself, I create various works that uplift, educate, inspire, and empower others as they navigate their lives. I aim to not just nourish your body but feed the soul.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It actually hasn’t always been smooth. I would say it never was, but that’s a story for another day. What I will say is that nothing worth having is easy. Every lesson I learn leads me closer to that understanding. The facts are, if you want it, you have to chase it.
How I started is not quite where I am today, but it has made me who I am. I was the child who would dream, and often these dreams ended with someone telling me to be practical. Even being raised by a single Black mother in poverty didn’t stop me from believing I was meant to excel. They told her that she would remain stuck and couldn’t evolve, that she wouldn’t be able to balance education and motherhood. But my mother showed me that you can shape your own destiny by investing in yourself and constantly chasing growth despite naysayers or statistics. I watched her do it firsthand by raising me at 17, getting a college education, and moving us away from a lifestyle that we were never destined for. I am so grateful for the path that has led me here today and taught me what I know.
Honestly, my greatest obstacle through it all has always been getting over myself and my own insecurities. Not the physical aspects. That’s why I fight so hard for others like myself. When I struggle, I lean into my art, and I try to make space for other people who may need it. After all, we aren’t alone, and we can all use community. We only get this through sharing our vulnerabilities, so I’ll take the first step by peeling back a few layers and creating from the heart.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am Keon Atwater-Thomas, CCP (certified culinary professional); a multifaceted artist who seamlessly integrates self-development, community, creativity, culinary arts, and literary arts. I would say that is what sets me apart. I was always told that I needed to be or focus on one thing, but I learned throughout my journey that an arsenal of talent is indeed a blessing. I am able to lean into all aspects of myself and my passions to channel my art and make an impact. Whether that is as a chef, writer, podcaster, brand ambassador, advocate, or entrepreneur. These are simply elements that allow me to share & create authentically.
As the Vice President of Atwater Productions & Publishing LLC., CEO of NaturalBlackUnicorn, & GoldUnicorn (NBU); I am constantly pushing the bounds of creativity and self-expression to raise brand awareness and encourage others to follow their dreams. Through this role, I have been able to curate numerous personal and relatable experiences using my food, podcast, blogs, poetry, art, music, campaigns, books, live and virtual events to inspire overall wellness.
Currently, Atwater Productions & Publishing LLC. has been featured in over 10 publications for our work, self-published 6 books, written on various screenwriting projects, secured 3 brand ambassador contracts, hosted numerous events and produced multiple podcasts and blogs that have been used to create mental health & self-love campaigns/awareness promoting personal development and self-care.
Whether it is the mind, body, or soul, Keon Atwater-Thomas, CCP & APP strive to utilize our talents in expressive ways that encourage others to look within and explore a healthier, happier and fuller lifestyle that works for their overall being. At the end of the day we are all having our own human experience but we are not alone. Why not use art to imitate life and explore that? We are living art. Art that comes alive in the form of creative expression, music, visuals, poetry, stories, words of affirmations…etc. It is the job of the artist to breathe life into these forms of art. To interpret life as is and share it with others. I like to think we do so regardless of the facet.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Honestly, there is no one moment. I want to say the overall experience of watching my mother and her ambitious spirit make things happen that some couldn’t imagine. She’s always been a superwoman to me because of all the ways I have witnessed her growth and resilience. I truly don’t believe I could have done half of what I have without seeing her be brave enough to pave the way. To simply just try.
I use to doubt myself to the point in which it was almost debilitating, but then I would think about my mother when I was a child. How she always made a way out of no way and dreamed far too big for the tiny pond she waded in. The day she decided to relocate from New York City to Atlanta showed me that bettering yourself even in the hardest time can provide so much strength.
I aim to be the type of woman that can do anything she can possibly put her mind towards. Even when no one cares and may not even be looking. Even when they don’t approve or call you crazy, to courageously continue going and to not allow anyone to stop you from reaching your destination. The child in me is so grateful to the woman who made me feel and know that I was more than capable, if I thought of it…then it must already be mine, right? Till this day, even at my lowest, I hone into my mother’s energy and I relentlessly pursue my goals even if I’m unsure because I know that hard work does pay off. It’s what got us here today and it is what continues to fuel us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/chefkeon
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/chefkeon
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ChefKeon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefkeonatwater/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCTSnBE6hsPEnjgMBAPOXFYQ
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/m7bTceC3vwLTJ0WjcD
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6nK6Eof9X2dOlA3gltEa7Y
